Firearm vise

ABSTRACT

A firearm holding device for holding a firearm having a forend, a grip and a buttstock. The holding device comprises a base having a longitudinal axis, a forend support mounted on the base for supporting the forend of the firearm, a grip support mounted on the base for supporting the grip of the firearm, and a buttstock support mounted on the base for supporting the buttstock of the firearm. At least one of the forend support, grip support and buttstock support are moveable on the base along the longitudinal axis of the base to accommodate various sizes and types of firearms.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/626,689, filed Nov. 10, 2004, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a firearm holding device and moreparticularly to a device for securely holding a rifle or shotgun forcleaning, maintenance, minor repairs, or mechanical modification.

This invention allows both hands of the user to work with the firearm,as the invention alone will hold and support the firearm in a stable,secure position. In addition, the adjustable features of the variouscomponents of the invention enable the user to position virtually anytype of rifle or shotgun securely in an optimal position.

Traditionally, a firearm such as a rifle or shotgun is either handheldduring cleaning and maintenance or a standard metal machinist vise orshop vise is used to hold the firearm for cleaning or maintenance. Whilea shop vise can be used to secure a rifle or shotgun and is definitelymore secure than holding the firearm with one hand, it has manypotentially negative features. A standard metal vise has metal jaws orclamping surfaces that must be covered with a softer material to avoiddamage to the metal or stock of a firearm. The jaw coverings frequentlyfall from the vise after installation or are not installed resulting indamage to the firearm from the metal jaws.

A traditional vise can be used to support a firearm by positioning thejaws of the vise so as to clamp the firearm at one point along thelength of the firearm. A traditional vise does not hold and support arifle or shotgun at points on both the forend and buttstocksimultaneously. Since a standard vise must clamp on to the firearm atonly one point, the pressure at this point to effectively hold andsecure the firearm must often be so great that the stock or mechanism ofthe firearm can be damaged.

A standard vise has no compartments for holding cleaning supplies orother items used during normal maintenance, repair or modification ofrifles or shotguns. Also, most vises sturdy enough to hold a rifle orshotgun are usually quite large and heavy and must be fixedly mountedand attached to a bench. Such fixedly mounted vises cannot be readilymoved from one work area to another.

Therefore, there is a need for a firearm holding device that will holdand support a rifle or shotgun securely and without damage to thefirearm. In addition, such a firearm holding device should support thefirearm on or at two or more separate points along the longitudinallength of the firearm and it should provide for optimal positioning ofmany different designs of firearms for the task at hand. Also, there isa need for a firearm holding device that is lightweight and portable andthat provides storage areas for holding maintenance and repair supplies.

SUMMARY

A firearm holding device of the present invention preferably provides atleast two points of support along the longitudinal length of the firearmand allows a user to properly secure virtually any type or design ofrifle or shotgun. In one embodiment, the firearm holding device usesnon-marring synthetic materials to eliminate the possibility of damageto the stock or the mechanism of the firearm. The amount of clampingpressure applied by such holding device to the firearm can be adjustedand limited. The horizontal position of the firearm held in the firearmholding device can be regulated by the use of the various adjustablesupport components, preferably at the front, middle and rear of thefirearm. A firearm holding device of the present invention can bepermanently attached to a bench or it can be used as a portableworkstation on the flat surface of any table or bench. The firearmholding device is relatively lightweight and can be moved easily fromone area to another. One embodiment of a firearm holding device of thisinvention also incorporates numerous built in storage areas formaterials and tools used in the cleaning and maintenance of rifles andshotguns.

In general, the present invention is directed to a firearm holdingdevice for holding a firearm having a forend, a grip and a buttstock.The holding device comprising a base having a longitudinal axis, aforend support mounted on the base for supporting the forend of thefirearm, a grip support mounted on the base for supporting the grip ofthe firearm, and a buttstock support mounted on the base for supportingthe buttstock of the firearm. At least one of the forend support, gripsupport and buttstock support are moveable on the base along thelongitudinal axis of the base to accommodate various sizes and types offirearms.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a firearmholding device for holding a firearm. The holding device comprises abase for mounting the device on a flat surface, a forend supportmoveably mounted on the base for supporting the firearm, a grip supportmoveably mounted on the base for supporting the firearm, and a buttstocksupport moveably mounted on the base for supporting the firearm. Theforend support, grip support and buttstock support being moveable on thebase to accommodate various sizes and types of firearms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical bolt-action rifle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical bolt-action rifle with thebolt removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a typical break open, double-barreledshotgun with the action closed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a typical break open double barrelshotgun with the action open.

FIG. 5 is a right side perspective view of one embodiment of a firearmholding device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the holding device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a right side perspective view of a typical bolt-action riflesecured in the firearm holding device.

FIG. 8 is a left side perspective view of a typical bolt-action riflesecured in the holding device.

FIG. 9 is a right side perspective view of a typical break open shotgunsecured in the holding device.

FIG. 10 is a left side perspective view of a typical break open shotgunsecured in the holding device.

FIG. 11 is a right side elevation view of a typical bolt-action riflesecured in the holding device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along the plane 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a base of the holding device.

FIG. 14 is a section view taken along the plane 14--14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a detail fragmentary perspective of one end of the base.

FIG. 16 is side elevation view of a typical bolt-action rifle secured inthe holding device.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective of a grip support of the holdingdevice.

FIG. 18 a side elevation view of a typical break open shotgun secured inthe holding device.

FIG. 19 is a detail view of the grip support at an extended position.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective of a forend support of the holdingdevice.

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary detail perspective of the forend support in alowered position.

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but showing the forend support in araised position.

FIG. 23 is an exploded side perspective view of a buttstock support ofthe holding device.

FIG. 24 is an exploded fragmentary top perspective of the buttstocksupport.

FIG. 25 is a rear elevation view of the invention with a left buttstockclamp in a raised position and a right buttstock clamp removed.

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 but showing the left buttstockclamp in a lowered position.

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation view with the buttstock clamps in an openposition, the left buttstock clamp being shown with a cover removed.

FIG. 28 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 27 but showing the buttstock clamps ina closed position.

FIG. 31 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 30.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A firearm holding device of the present invention supports and secures afirearm (e.g., rifle, shotgun, or other firearm) with multi-pointsupport for cleaning or maintenance. Two exemplary firearms that may besupported by the firearm holding device of the present invention includea bolt-action rifle 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a break open sporting shotgun2 (FIGS. 3 and 4). A typical bolt-action rifle 1, as shown in FIG. 1, isbest secured for cleaning, maintenance, or minor repairs by support onat least two of the following three surfaces spaced along thelongitudinal axis LI of the rifle: the stock forend 2; the underside ofthe stock at a location 3 in front of the trigger guard 5 or at alocation 4 behind the trigger guard either or both of these locations 3,4 being referred to herein as the “grip” G of the firearm; andpreferably adjacent the rear of the buttstock 6. Access to the interior7 of the rifle 1 for cleaning is typically accomplished by removal ofthe bolt 8 (see FIG. 2). Use of a traditional machinist, or bench vise(not shown), to clamp the rifle 1 between the jaws of the vice at anyone of the above three locations (stock forend 2, underside of stock 3,grip G, or rear of buttstock 6) spaced along the longitudinal length ofthe rifle may result in damage to the stock or the mechanism of therifle due to the increased holding pressure that is required to supportthe rifle at a single point.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a typical break open sporting shotgun 10 ishinged at the receiver 11 to provide access to the interior of thefirearm. The break open shotgun 10 should be held in an open position(FIG. 4) for cleaning in which the receiver 11 is unlocked and thebarrels 12 are pivoted away from the receiver 11. With the barrels 12unlocked and opened, as in FIG. 4, the user will have access to theinside 13 of the barrels 12 for cleaning or maintenance. As with abolt-action rifle 1, support should be placed on the following surfacesalong the longitudinal length of the shotgun 10: the stock forend 16 orbarrels 12; the lower surface 17 in front of the trigger guard 19 or thesurface 18 behind the trigger guard either or both of these locations17, 18 being referred to herein as the “grip” G of the firearm; and nearthe rear of the buttstock 20. It is understood that the mechanisms of atypical bolt-action rifle 1 and a break open shotgun 10 are quitedifferent and require different mechanical supports for optimal securityand rigidity when performing routine maintenance and cleaning.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one embodiment of the firearm holding device(gun vise), generally indicated 25, includes four subsystems to providethe numerous positions necessary for supporting a wide range of riflesand shotguns, namely, a forend (front) support generally indicated 26, agrip (center) support generally indicated 27, a buttstock (rear) supportgenerally indicated 28, and a base generally indicated 29 having alongitudinal axis L2 for mounting the vise on a flat surface. The forendsupport 26, grip support 27 and buttstock support 28 are removablyattached to the base 29 and may be translated longitudinally along thebase 29 to alter their positions relative to each other.

FIGS. 7-10 compare the different positions of the vise 25 that are usedto secure the bolt-action rifle 1 and the break open shotgun 10 forcleaning or maintenance. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bolt-actionrifle 1 is supported by contact with the vise 25 at three locationsalong the longitudinal length of the rifle. The forend support 26contacts the stock forend 2 of the rifle 1, the grip support 27 contactsthe rifle at the grip G on the stock behind trigger guard 5, and thebuttstock support 28 contacts the rifle near the rear of the buttstock6. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the vise 25 is positioned to support thebreak open shotgun 10 at three points of contact located along thelongitudinal length of the shotgun. The forend support 26 contacts thebarrels 12 of the shotgun, the grip support 27 contacts the shotgun atthe grip G behind the trigger guard 19, and the buttstock support 28contacts the shotgun near the rear of the buttstock 20. As illustratedby the different positions required to support each firearm 1, 10, thevise 25 has a high-degree of adjustability that allows a wide range offirearms to be supported and secured by the vise.

The forend support 26, grip support 27, and buttstock support 28 are allremovably attached to the base 29 and may be longitudinally translatedalong the base for optimum positioning for a specific firearm. As shownin FIGS. 12 and 13, the base 29 has a top surface 33 and a recessedchannel 32 extending the longitudinal length of the base. The channel 32receives a retainer, generally indicated 31, that has an elongateopening or slot 31 a in the top surface of the base. As shown in FIG. 6,the retainer 31 acts as a track along which the forend support 26, thegrip support 27, and the buttstock support 28 may be positioned. In theillustrated embodiment, the retainer 31 is a separate part attached tothe base 29 but it is understood that the retainer may be formed as anintegral part of the base without departing from the scope of thisinvention.

As shown in FIG. 12, the retainer 31 includes two spaced apart sidewalls 34 that have a T-shaped cross-sectional shape and a bottom wall 35connecting the side walls. The retainer opening 31 a has a bottomportion wider than an upper neck portion between the side walls 34. Theopening 31 a in the retainer 31 may have other shapes without departingfrom the scope of this invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the bottom cavityof the opening 31 a is sized to slidably receive a head 37 of a threadedbolt 38 to allow the bolt to slide along the length of the opening. Thebolt 38 is restrained from being removed from the retainer 31 by thenarrow neck portion of the opening 31 a. A locking knob 39 removablyretains the threaded bolt 38 in the forend support 26. When the lockingknob 39 is tightened the bolt 38 translates upward so that the bolt head37 contacts the lower surface 40 of the upper portion of each side wall34 that define the neck of the opening 31 a. The contact of the bolthead with the surfaces 40 of the side walls 34 of the retainer 31frictionally retains the forend support 26 at a desired longitudinalposition on the base 29. This method of retention and positioning thebolt 38 along the retainer 31 is common to the forend support 26, thegrip support 27 and the buttstock supports 28. The retainer 31 andopening 31 a extend the length of the base 29, so that each of theindividual supports 26, 27, 28 may be longitudinally positioned alongthe base or completely removed by sliding the bolt head 37 out of eitheropen end of the retainer.

As shown in FIGS. 13-15, the base 29 is generally rectangular and may befabricated as a single unit, e.g., by plastic injection molding, so amajority of its features are integral to the part. In one embodiment,the base 29 is about 30 inches in length, about 7 inches wide, and about1.5 inches tall. The base 29 serves as a platform for mounting the vise25 to a bench or other suitable work surface. Holes 45 formed in each ofthe four corners of the base 29 provide clearance for bolts or screws topermanently mount the vise 25 to a work surface. Flat surfaces 46 aroundthe holes 45 provide contact points for a C-clamp, or other userprovided clamping device, to temporarily mount the unit to a worksurface.

The top surface 33 of the base 29 contains numerous cavities, ordepressions, of specific sizes and shapes corresponding to commonfirearm cleaning supplies and maintenance tools that aid in organizationof the work area. For example, round cavities 48 are sized and shaped toreceive round solvent bottles (not shown), and rectangular cavities 49are sized and shaped to receive rectangular bottles and cleaningpatches. Two pairs of rectangular storage cavities 52 at the ends of thebase 29 are covered with the forend support 26 and buttstock support 27when the vise 25 is assembled for supporting a firearm. The interiorsurfaces of the cavities may be stepped to provide additionalorganizational space by providing multiple layers of storage in a singlecavity. As shown in FIG. 14, the base has two elongate rectangularcavities 51 that have hemispherical depressions 53 that provide storagefor small parts, such as screws, while longer tools may be storeddirectly above the depressions in the rectangular cavities. Thehemispherical depressions 53 allow for easier small part retrieval thanflat-bottomed cavities due to the part naturally resting at the lowestpoint in the cavity 54. As shown in FIG. 15, a contoured, relieved areaon each end of the base 29 between the flat surfaces 46 provides anintegral handle 55 to facilitate lifting of the vise 25.

As shown in FIGS. 16-19, the grip support 27 is designed to provide twopossible heights for supporting a firearm either in front or behind thetrigger guard. The grip support 27 has a generally L-shaped body havingtwo legs 60, 61 oriented 90 degrees relative to one another. In theillustrated embodiment the leg 60 is longer than the leg 61. The gripsupport 27 is removably mounted to the base 29 with either the longerleg 60 or the shorter leg 61 in the vertical position. As shown in FIG.19, the longer leg 60 of the grip support 27 has a V-shaped support 62that will center and secure the underside of the firearm. The V-shapedsupport 62 is particularly useful for holding firearms, such as breakopen shotguns 10 (FIG. 18), that require elevation of the firearmmechanism for cleaning or maintenance. The shorter leg 61 has a roundedsupport face 63 for non-break open rifles and shotguns, such as thebolt-action rifle I (see FIG. 16). Both the V-shaped face 62 of thelonger leg 60 and the rounded face 63 of the shorter leg 61 are coveredwith a pliable, rubber-like material to prevent marring the firearmfinish and provide a slip resistant contact surface.

The grip support 27 is removably attached to the base 29 via theretainer 31 and can be positioned at any longitudinal point along thebase 29. As shown in FIG. 17, the grip support may be attached to thebase by a threaded bolt 38 that passes through a hole 65 located in thecenter of the longer leg 60 of the grip support for attachment of thesupport with the longer leg in the horizontal position and the shorterleg 61 in the vertical position. The grip support 27 may be attached tothe base with shorter leg 61 in the horizontal position and the longerleg 60 in the vertical position (FIG. 18) by the bolt 38 passing througha hole 66 in the shorter leg and the bolt head that is received in theretainer 31. A locking knob 39 is threadably engaged to the bolt 38 andsecures the grip support at a desired longitudinal position whentightened. As previously discussed in reference to FIG. 12, tighteningthe locking knob 39 will translate the bolt head 37 upward pressing thebolt head against the upper portion of the side walls 34 of the retainer31 to frictionally retain the grip support 27 at the desiredlongitudinal position.

The grip support 27 is adjusted from its shorter height (FIG. 16) to itstaller height (FIG. 18) by removing the threadably engaged locking knob39 from the threaded bolt 38, lifting the grip support 27 until the freeend of the threaded bolt 38 is removed from the hole 65 in the longerleg 61, then repositioning the grip support 27 so the threaded bolt 38engages the hole 66 in the shorter leg 61. The locking knob 39 is thenrethreaded onto the threaded bolt 38 that now protrudes from the shorterleg 21 and is tightened to secure the grip support 27 on the base 29. Itis understood that the grip support 27 is adjusted from its tallerheight to its shorter height in a similar manner.

The forend support 26 is constructed to provide four possible heightsettings for supporting the forend or barrel of the firearm. As shown inFIG. 20-22, the forend support 26 has a forend upper member, generallyindicated 70, releasably engaged to a forend base, generally indicated71. The forend upper member 70 and forend base 71 are releasably engagedvia a locking knob 73 and a threaded bolt 75 having a head 74 that isslidably retained in a slot 72 in the top surface 76 of the forend base71. The threaded bolt 75 is inserted through a hole 77 in the forendupper member 70 and retained by the threadably engaged locking knob 73.The forend support 26 is adjusted for height by loosening the lockingknob 73 and translating the forend upper member 70 along the angledsurface or ramp 76 of the forend base 71. Three sets of arcuateprotrusions, or elevation stops 78, are formed in the angled surface 76of the forend base 71. The elevations stops 78 provide three separateelevation positions for the forend upper member 70. As shown in FIGS. 21and 22, the elevation stops 78 are shaped to engage rounded corners ofthe forend base 71 to prevent the base from sliding down the top surface76. During use, the locking knob 73 and elevation stops 78 combine toresist downward translational movement in the direction of arrow 80(FIG. 22) of the forend upper member 70 relative to the forend base 71.If desired, the user may attach the forend upper 70 directly to the base29 by inserting the bolt head 74 of the bolt 75 in the retainer 31 inthe base rather than the slot 72 of the forend base. This arrangementprovides the fourth, and lowest, height setting of the forend support26. The dual adjusting capability (i.e., longitudinal position andvertical height) of the forend support 26 allows the user maximumflexibility in properly supporting the barrel or forearm of virtuallyany rifle or shotgun.

The forend base 71 is removably attached to the base 29 via the retainer31 and can be positioned at any longitudinal point along the base 29.Referring to FIG. 12, the threaded bolt 38 passes through a hole locatedin the center of the forend base 71 with the head 37 engaged with theretainer 31. The locking knob 39 threadably receives the bolt 38 so thatthe bolt head 37 is forced upward in the opening 31 a when the knob istightened. At the tightened position, the bolt head contacts the lowersurfaces 40 of the spaced apart side walls 37 of the retainer 31 so thatthe forend support 26 is frictionally retained at a desired longitudinalposition on the base 29.

The top surface 81 of the forend upper 70 is generally V-shaped to helpprevent any side-to-side movement of a barrel of the firearm supportedby the firearm vise 25 and to self-center the firearm with the vise. Apliable, resilient (e.g., rubber-like) material 82 covers the topsurface 81 of the forend upper 70 to prevent marring the firearm finishand provides a slip resistant contact surface.

The firearm vise 25 of the present invention is designed to completelyrestrict the movement of a rifle or shotgun for cleaning or maintenanceof the firearm. The forend support 26 and grip support 27 providevertical support and restrict lateral movement of the firearm. Thebuttstock support 28 provides vertical support for the rear of thefirearm and clamps the firearm buttstock to prevent longitudinalmovement of the firearm.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the buttstock support 28 comprises abuttstock base 87, a left clamp assembly, generally indicated 88, and aright clamp assembly, generally indicated 89. The left clamp assembly 88and right clamp assembly 89 mirror each other about the longitudinalcenter of the gun vise 25. The buttstock support 28 is removablyattached to the base 29 via the retainer 31 and can be positioned at anypoint along the longitudinal length of the base 29. The buttstocksupport 28 is a attached to the base 29 in a similar manner as theforend support 26 and grip support 27. The buttstock support 28 isattached to the base 29 by two threaded bolts 90 that pass through arespective front hole 91 and rear hole 92 located on the longitudinalcenterline of the buttstock base 87. Each bolt 90 has a head 93 that isreceived in the opening 31 a of the retainer 31. The buttstock support28 is secured to the bolts 90 by two locking knobs 94 which have beenremoved from the bolts in FIG. 24 for clarity. Tightening each lockingknob 94 will force a respective bolt head 93 upward in the opening 31 aof the retainer 31 so that each head contacts the lower surface 40 (FIG.12) of the upper portion of each of the side walls 34 (FIG. 12) thatdefine the neck of the opening so that the buttstock support is securedto the base 29 at the desired longitudinal position.

The top surface 96 of the buttstock base 87 is “V” shaped to helpprevent any side-to-side movement of the firearm buttstock and toself-center the firearm in the gun vise 25. A pliable, rubber-likematerial 97 covers the top surface 96 of the buttstock base 87 toprevent marring the firearm finish and provides a slip resistant contactsurface.

The clamp assemblies 88, 89 maybe adjusted in the vertical andhorizontal (lateral) directions relative to the longitudinal axis L2 ofthe base 29 to accommodate a wide range of firearm buttstock designs.The two clamp assemblies 88, 89 are independently adjustable for height(vertical location), width of clamping area (horizontal location), andclamping pressure. FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate one clamp assembly 88removed from the buttstock base 87, but the other clamp assembly 89 isadjustable on the base in a similar manner as described herein. As shownin FIGS. 23 and 24, each clamp assembly 88, 89 is releasably retained tothe buttstock base 87 via a threaded bolt 100 and locking knob 101. Thehead of each threaded bolt 100 is retained in a respective vertical slot102 in the rear surface of the buttstock base 87. The threaded bolt 100,and the clamp assembly 88, may translate the length of the slot 102 forvertical adjustment of the clamp assembly 88. Tightening the lockingknob 101 frictionally retains the vertical position of the clampassembly 88 with the buttstock base 87. FIGS. 25 and 26 compare the leftclamp at the highest vertical position (FIG. 25) and the lowest verticalposition (FIG. 26). An open-ended channel 103 parallel and adjacent tothe vertical adjustment slot 102 is designed to accept a matingprotrusion 104 (FIG. 24) on the clamp assembly 88. The verticalprotrusion 104 is received in the channel 103 to prevent the clampassembly 88 from rotating on the buttstock base 87 as clamping pressureis applied.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, each clamp assembly 88, 89 consists of ahousing 106 (partially removed in FIG. 28), a clamp lever 107, a cam108, a threaded cam follower 109 slidably received in a cavity 109 a ofthe housing, a threaded adjustor stud 110, a return spring 111 acting atone end against the follower and at its opposite end against a surface111 a of the housing, a buttstock pad 112 and an adjustor knob 113.Referring to FIG. 27, a rear view of the gun vise 13 is shown with arifle buttstock 6 positioned between the two clamp assemblies 88, 89shown in the open position with the buttstock pads 112 spaced away fromthe rifle buttstock. As shown in FIG. 29, the housing 106 has anexterior surface that contains a graphical indicator mark 114 forillustrating the open position of the clamp assemblies 88, 89 and agraphical indicator mark 115 illustrating the closed position of theclamp assemblies. The clamp lever 107 has a pointer 116 for pointing tothe indicator mark 114, 115 indicating the corresponding open and closedposition of the buttstock pads 112.

FIGS. 28 and 31 show the relative positions of the clamp lever 107, cam108, cam follower 109 and adjustor stud 110 in the open position (FIG.28) and closed position (FIG. 31) of the left clamp assembly 88. Theoperation of the right claim assembly 89 is identical to the left clampassembly 88 described herein. The front half of the housing 106 has beenremoved in FIGS. 28 and 31 for illustrative purposes. To actuate, orclose, the clamp assembly 88, the clamp lever 107 is pushed down torotate the lever counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 28. The clamp lever107 is rotationally connected to the cam 108 that rotates with thelever. The cam 108 has an eccentric surface 117 that contacts thefollower 109. When the lever 107 is rotated counterclockwise from theposition shown in FIG. 28, the eccentric surface 117 of the cam 108pushes the cam follower 109 linearly toward the rifle buttstock 6, inthe direction of arrow 120 (FIG. 31). The linear movement of thefollower 109 compresses the return spring 111. The follower 109 isthreadably engaged to the adjustor stud 110 so that linear movement ofthe follower causes corresponding linear movement of the adjustor stud.The buttstock pad 112 is threadably mounted to the end of the adjustorstud 110 so linear movement of the adjustor stud (and follower 109)causes corresponding linear movement of the buttstock pad 112.

At the closed position of the clamp assemblies 88, 89 illustrated inFIG. 30, the buttstock pads 112 will contact the rifle 1 on each side ofthe buttstock 6 and exert a clamping force perpendicular to thebuttstock for holding the rifle in a secure holding position. As shownin FIG. 32, the pointer 116 of the clamp lever 107 points to the symbol115 illustrating the closed position of the vise 25. Rotating the clamplever 107 of the clamp assembly 88 in the clockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 31, causes rotation of the cam 108 such that the follower 109 incontact with the eccentric surface 117 moves away from the buttstock 6in a direction opposite to the arrow 120. The return spring 111 biasesthe follower 109 against the eccentric surface 117 so that the follower,adjustor stud 110, and buttstock pad 112 move to the open position whenthe lever 107 is returned to the position of FIG. 28. It is understoodthat the lever 107 of the clamp assembly 89 is rotated in an oppositedirection (i.e., counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 29) to move theright buttstock pad 112 to the open position.

The amount of pressure exerted by the clamp assemblies 88, 89 may beadjusted by rotating the adjustor knob 113 clockwise or counterclockwiseto adjust the position of the buttstock pad 112 in the closed positionof the vise 25. The adjustor knob 113 is attached to one end of theadjustor stud 110, and the buttstock pad is attached at the other end ofthe adjustor stud. The follower 109 is threadably engaged with theadjuster stud and is slidably received in the cavity 109 a (FIGS. 28,31) of the housing so that the follower is rotationally restrained.Therefore, when the adjustor knob 113 and adjustor stud 110 are rotated,the adjustor stud and buttstock pad 112 will traverse linearly as shownby the directional arrows 120, but the follower 109 remains in a fixedposition in contact with the eccentric surface 117 of the cam 108.

It is understood that the buttstock pads may comprise foam padding orother compressible material. The pressure exerted by the clampassemblies 88, 89 on the buttstock 6 is adjustable by turning theadjustment knob 113 so that the gap between the buttstock pads forreceiving the buttstock is reduced. The reduced distance between thebuttstock pads will cause the pads to compress after contacting thebuttstock 6 when the levers 107 of the clamp assemblies 88, 89 arepositioned to close the vise 25.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. For example, the various components of the firearm holding devicecould have other configurations.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A firearm supporting device for supporting afirearm with a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from thefirst portion, the supporting device comprising: a planar base having alongitudinal axis and an interfacing groove along the longitudinal axis,the base being configured to rest on an external surface; a firstsupport coupled to the base and configured to carry the first portion ofthe firearm; and a second support movably coupled to the base andselectively movable between a first position and a second positionspaced apart from the first position along the longitudinal axis, thesecond support being configured to carry the second portion of thefirearm and selectively inhibit movement of the firearm along thelongitudinal axis relative to the second support.
 25. The supportingdevice of claim 24 wherein: the first support is removably and slideablycoupled to the base along the interfacing groove; and the second supportis removably and slideably coupled to the base along the interfacinggroove.
 26. The supporting device of claim 24 wherein the first supportis movably coupled to the base and selectively movable along theinterfacing groove.
 27. The supporting device of claim 24 wherein thesecond support comprises first and second clamp assemblies forinhibiting movement of the firearm along the longitudinal axis.
 28. Thesupporting device of claim 24 wherein: the first support comprises afirst section coupled to the base and a second section movably coupledto the first section, the second section including a support surfacepositioned to contact the first portion of the firearm; and the secondsection is selectively movable relative to the first section to adjust adistance between the support surface and the base.
 29. The supportingdevice of claim 24 wherein: the first support comprises a first sectioncoupled to the base and a second section movably coupled to the firstsection, the second section including a support surface positioned tocontact the first portion of the firearm; and the second section isselectively movable relative to the first section to adjust a distancealong the longitudinal axis between the first and second supports. 30.The supporting device of claim 24 wherein the second support comprises aclamping assembly configured to selectively inhibit movement of thefirearm along the longitudinal axis relative to the second support. 31.A firearm supporting device for supporting a firearm with a firstportion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, thesupporting device comprising: a planar base having a longitudinal axis,a first side generally parallel to a second side, a third side generallyparallel to a fourth side, the sides forming a generally rectangularbase perimeter, and an upper surface, the base being configured to reston an external surface; a first support removably coupled to the baseand projecting from the upper surface, the first support beingconfigured to carry the first portion of the firearm; and a secondsupport removably coupled to the base and projecting from the uppersurface, the second support being configured to carry the second portionof the firearm and selectively inhibit movement of the firearm along thelongitudinal axis relative to the second support; wherein at least oneof the first or second support is movably coupled to the base.
 32. Thesupporting device of claim 31 wherein the first and second supports areslideably coupled to the base and independently movable along thelongitudinal axis.
 33. The supporting device of claim 31 wherein thesecond support comprises a clamping assembly for selectively securingthe firearm to the second support.
 34. The supporting device of claim31, further comprising: a first hand-operated retaining mechanism forreleaseably attaching the first support to the base; and a secondhand-operated retaining mechanism for releaseably attaching the secondsupport to the base.
 35. The supporting device of claim 31 wherein: thefirst support comprises a first section coupled to the base and a secondsection movably coupled to the first section, the second sectionincluding a support surface positioned to contact the first portion ofthe firearm; and the second section is selectively movable relative tothe first section to adjust a distance between the support surface andthe base.
 36. The supporting device of claim 31 wherein: the firstsupport comprises a first section coupled to the base and a secondsection movably coupled to the first section, the second sectionincluding a support surface positioned to contact the first portion ofthe firearm; and the second section is selectively movable relative tothe first section to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axisbetween the first and second supports.